Andorra la Vella Bolsters Peak-Hour Bus Routes Amid Rising Passenger Numbers

Andorra la Vella officials continue to assess bus routes line by line for targeted reinforcements during peak hours to address passenger overcrowding, while Coopalsa's manager reports positive progress in the government's broader service redesign despite ongoing challenges.

The commune has added an extra bus to the Serradells line at 5pm, the peak slot with the most reported issues. Some users still report difficulties boarding—occasionally affecting children and forcing taxi use—prompting further review. Data from operator Andbus shows high occupancy only in specific rush periods, not across the full day. The service carried 604,000 passengers in 2025, an 8.6% rise from 2024, led by Ciutat de Valls (349,613 users), La Margineda (210,776) and Serradells (44,051).

Authorities are weighing user proposals to shift some schedules by 15 minutes, but only with caution to avoid disrupting others. The new Unió bus between Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany has also reduced central valley pressure.

In March, the commune allocated €134,670 to Andbus as a one-off payment to balance the 2025 contract amid unforeseen cost increases from wages, inflation and economic shifts, in line with public procurement rules.

Separately, Coopalsa manager Gabriel Dallerès gave an upbeat assessment of the government's line reorganisation, launched on 7 July 2024 and nearing its first anniversary. He noted user volumes have surged 2.5-fold since inception, hitting peaks of 23,000 daily passengers in high season. Route changes prevent short-trip riders from crowding long-distance lines, such as separating L4 to Pas de la Casa from Escaldes-Encamp traffic, or limiting Prat de la Creu passes to L2 and L7 only. This allows more efficient capacity with existing resources.

Dallerès expects further tweaks, better government-led information, and rising demand on L2 due to Encamp's population density, jobs in the capital and construction boom. The government analyses operator data alongside user feedback to adjust frequencies. He described the seven-year-old concession—running to 2034 with extension options—as robust, with smooth government relations and clarified accounting rules developed by external experts.

Challenges persist: Coopalsa runs short-staffed amid high driver turnover from adaptation issues, stricter six-year experience requirements and family reunification hurdles. Dallerès said fleet renewal will deliver 42 Euro 6-compliant buses under 15 years old this month, with older reserves used only for emergencies and fully serviced.